[Advertisement – This room showcases PR products from Zera, Fredericia and Quick-Step. As always, my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own]. I’m excited to announce that we completed the final step in our renovation of the first floor and can’t wait to share the newly renovated guest room with you today. We moved the door and adjusted a wall to allow access to the bathroom from the stair landing, which required us to repaint the room and update the flooring. I wanted to be able to host family and friends again and create a space that was both special and welcoming.
Decorating has been a challenge due to the small size of the room; the rearranged wall made the room feel even smaller. In addition, a section of boxing wall obscured the steel structure of the old chimney, limiting our layout options. Previously, I painted the room white to give it a more open look (you can click here to see those photos), and while I loved the bright and airy vibe, it lacked warmth. This time, I chose to pair soothing beige walls with crisp white linens and a touch of olive green to enhance the serene vibe and echo the garden outside. I also added sleek black accents to add depth and structure to the neutral color palette, echoing the design throughout the rest of the house.
Walls and floors
The guest bedroom is south-facing and gets lots of light, so choosing the ideal shade of beige was crucial. I experimented with various shades and watched them change over the course of a few days as the light shifted, before settling on ‘Flawless’ from the Zera Paints x Elle Decoration collection. This shade perfectly balances the yellow of the afternoon sun with the blue of the morning light. The light color palette adds a cozy feel to the room without making it feel small.
The flooring is made of the same oak hardwood as in the master bedroom: Quick-Step’s “Palazzo Polar Oak”. The subtle white stain and modern matte finish fit perfectly with my Scandinavian aesthetic, while the delicate grain infuses the space with warmth. We installed the flooring ourselves and it transforms the room.
Furniture.
With limited space, each piece of furniture had to be both functional and stylish. I was determined to find bedside tables that were compact enough to fit the room and provide storage, and Urbansize’s oak cross-legged design was just right. The bed is still the same Ikea bed frame we used before, and is tall enough for guests to tuck their suitcases underneath. I considered upholstering the bed with the gray headboard from the master bedroom, but after testing it out, I realized that it looked awkward when placed that way, so I ultimately decided against it.
The only other piece of furniture is my beloved “Trinidad” chair, which was moved upstairs to replace the gray HAY “J110” chair that was in this corner. Designed by Nanna Ditzel for Fredericia, it is a timeless classic that I received as a gift after a press trip a few years ago. The dark wood and black legs coordinate perfectly with the new wall color, and I love the subtle detail the cut-out back adds to the room.
Lighting.
With no headboard to use as a focal point, I felt the room needed an eye-catching chandelier. I’ve always been a fan of the Japanese-inspired paper domes and sleek black wood slats of Jaime Hayon’s ‘Formakami’ collection, and I knew the medium-sized ‘JH4’ option would be perfect. Although many people advised against it when I posted the idea on Instagram, fearing the exposed bulbs might cause glare, I trusted my instincts and went ahead with it.
If you’d like more inspiration for pairing warm wood tones with cool grays, browse our home tour to see the perfect blend of these elements.
I listened to my instincts and purchased this fixture, and in retrospect, I’m very pleased. It is exactly what I imagined, adding interest without being overbearing, and the material gives off a soft and attractive glow. In addition, it’s cleverly positioned to hide the bulb so that it won’t be noticed even when you’re lying in bed.
For the bedside lamp, I chose Zera’s “Cloe” model – a slightly streamlined version of the iconic “Terra” table lamp, originally designed by Tommaso Cimini in 1975. Cimini in 1975. I like the simplicity and practicality of the design paired with the chunky shape of the pendant above, and the free-rotating, double-jointed arm that guides the light to exactly where it needs to be.
Accessorizing
I intend to use accessories to add delicate textures and patterns to the space – essential for making neutral decor warm and inviting. A few linen cushions, a cozy linen-cotton blanket, a few pieces of ceramic ware with a delicate touch and a black and white rug go together just right, and I’m currently knitting another cushion cover to add even more color. The rug is actually the original rug in our living room, but it was spilled with red wine and left a stubborn stain. I decided to repurpose it rather than throw it away and luckily any traces of red wine were completely covered up by the bed!
I also installed a hook to make it easier for guests to hang their clothes, and added a few essentials that they might find useful (Zera mirror, linen bag with hair dryer and slippers). Finally, I hung a few watercolor landscapes by my favorite artist, Melissa Selmin. Her hazy forest scenes are perfect for the bedroom because looking at them is incredibly calming; they also provide another connection to nature that complements the soft greens.
That’s what I was looking for: a serene beige guest bedroom with touches of green. I’m very happy with the result, and I hope friends and family like it too – as you can see from some of the photos above, Loki the cat loves it! Now, I have one last room on one more floor to show you – talk to you next time ……